Lion central
(The lion dancing at the Centre Point Mall: Singapore)
I just looked over yesterday’s offering and I’m disappointed to learn that I was so tired, I couldn’t form full sentences very well. Luckily today is a slight improvement, though I will have to adjust to the balmy nights here. Instead of blasting ourselves with air conditioning overnight (which isn’t terribly good for you) I lay with the windows wide open and the nocturnal sounds of Singapore feels rather disturbing coming straight from a one way street next to a Glasgow park.
I have achieved the dream of watching a lion dance performance for Chinese New Year – and a world class one at that. Apparently this troupe won the Korean World Lion Dance Championship; and no, I’m not sure how it can be Korean and global at the same time either. Anyway, here you can see the lion masterfully leaping from a single eight-foot plinth and about to land on two slightly lower. The plinths are laid out in a line, each one at differing heights in order to make the performance more engaging and dramatic. The lion himself was energetic with a fantastic sense of humour and timing – he consists of two young men, one is the front legs and head who operates the blinking eyes, waggling ears, opening mouth and the illuminated eyes. The second makes the back legs, tail and ribcage move as if the lion is breathing. He was very silly and unbelievably agile for a shiny neon feline. He performed many little tricks; one being landing on one of these plinths with all four feet, leaping six feet in the air and twisting his entire body (ie: the second boy) 180 degrees in the air. I was so rapt with attention and enveloped in my own excitement that I began to feel lightheaded halfway through the fifteen minute performance.
Ying’s dad gave us advice on the very best spot to stand in order to watch the lion pick up a flower in his paws (meaning the first boy grasped it between his ankles – bearing in mind he couldn’t therefore me standing up on his plinth) and eat it (the lion, I mean, not the boy). That involved bringing his feet up to the lions mouth and clutching onto it, to the delight of every onlooker. It was just awesome.
I honestly don’t know if I will be able to update you over the next few days – I hope I can, but there’s a distinct possibility that Bali and its (either nonexistent or existent but extortionate facilities) will prevent it. Watch this space…
Mosquito bite tally so far: 0
– Today Rosie is en route to Bali. Yep. Bali. Crazy crazy Asia times –
Typo- he couldn’t therefore be standing up